Community Highlights: Meet Cody Skinner of Flourishing Babies; Whole Body, Holistic Feeding Therapy

Today we’d like to introduce you to Cody Skinner.

Hi Cody, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I knew that I wanted to be an Occupational Therapist since high school. I graduated from St. Ambrose University in 2004 with a Masters in Occupational Therapy. My experience in pediatrics ranges from different settings including inpatient hospitals, outpatient clinics, and home settings. After moving to Kansas in 2014. I took some time off to focus on my own children’s needs and further my education to become specialized in infant feeding.

All three of my daughters had a difficult time breastfeeding. My oldest daughter Josie’s difficulty with breastfeeding and bottle feeding continued through transitioning to solids. She would refuse to eat, she would cry and arch when I put her in her highchair. The doctors would tell me how she is not growing and not absorbing nutrients, but they didn’t have answers for me other than adding calories and putting her on medication to “help” her symptoms, which often made her sicker. I felt so helpless as a mama. On my roughest days I would pray to God, if anything good comes out of this, it will be me helping other mamas and their babies going through similar situations. Over the years I learned through Josie’s journey that addressing the underlying causes of her feeding issues was the only way to get her to truly heal and thrive.

When I was ready to begin practicing occupational therapy again I had an opportunity to work for a Physical Therapist in Olathe, Kansas where I specialized in infant feeding. I loved my time there, but I was feeling called to begin my own journey as a business owner. I opened up my practice Flourishing Babies- Whole Body, Holistic Feeding Therapy in May of this year. Recently, I have been lucky enough to collaborate with Dr. Carissa Stanton (Mindful Pediatrics), and Liz Levy (Lactation Liz) in our beautiful new space we share named KC Well Nest in Leawood.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Overall, the road to building my own practice has been wonderful. I think it’s been smooth because I have the best support system and people that believe in me behind the scenes.

I try to stay grounded in my purpose and not force anything. Of course, I do become overwhelmed at times and have felt sad when I have had to miss out on some things with my daughters, but they understand and I think it has been good for them to see me follow my dreams as a professional.

Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Flourishing Babies; Whole Body, and Holistic Feeding Therapy?
I work with babies 0 to 12 months that are having difficulty with breastfeeding, bottle feeding, and transitioning to solids. I am specialized in oral motor development and feeding therapy, although I use my background as an Occupational Therapist and a craniosacral fascial therapist for a holistic approach during my treatment sessions. My goal is to help caregivers find the underlying cause of the feeding dysfunction, whether it is tethered oral tissues (tongue and lip tie), gut health, tension from labor and delivery, nervous system regulation, and airway development.

I believe that by listening closely to the parent’s concerns and addressing underlying issues that are causing the dysfunction, we can help babies thrive and become healthy flourishing children.

I also have seen how babies and mamas are very connected and believe that it is important for mothers to care for themselves. I offer mother/infant bodywork sessions. When moms relax and release tension their babies automatically relax.

Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
I want to encourage anyone that is going through a rough time to keep going. Things may seem impossible, but do not give up. I promise once you get through to the other side and process the hard stuff, you will discover that you have learned more than you thought possible, grown through your struggles, and have been shaped to carry out your purpose in life.

This is how I got to where I am today as the owner of Flourishing Babies. We all have special gifts. Working up the bravery to overcome vulnerabilities and share these gifts with others can bring about miracles.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.flourishingbabiesOT.com 

Image Credits
Shannon Schultz Photography